Submitted by Jennifer Favalora, Haddam-Killingworth Youth and Family Services
(June 14, 2025) — On Saturday, June 1, 2025 the much-loved “Kids Run A Muck” made its exciting return to the Haddam-Killingworth community. The event welcomed 198 very energetic participants from grades K-7 who ran, climbed, crawled, splashed, and yes, got gloriously muddy.
The day was action-packed, as kids tackled an adventurous obstacle course that featured teeter-totters, balance beams, stump jumps, a fence climb, tunnel crawls, and fan favorites like the mud crawl, slip and slide, and a big splash into the pool finish line. Altogether a total of sixteen obstacles were spread across the grounds of Parmelee Farm in Killingworth. It was the perfect excuse for kids to get dirty with their parents’ full approval. (photo below, Villette Harlow)
The event wouldn’t have been possible without an incredible crew of forty teen and adult volunteers who generously donated their time to set up the elaborate obstacle course and help break everything down after the fun. It was a major effort, and we are deeply grateful to each and every one of them.
Parmelee Farm provided a stunning venue, going above and beyond to partner and help make the event run smoothly. We are incredibly grateful to all those who made “Kids Run A Muck” possible through their generous contributions. A big thank-you to the Middletown Rotary for sponsoring the run. Town and Country Nurseries donated the dirt that made the mud crawl such a messy hit, while Mike’s Auto and New Image Auto provided the tires for the tire run obstacle.
New Image Auto also contributed hay bales for the jumping station. Girl Scout Troop 62019 of Haddam created the challenging Bucket Carry, and Girl Scout Troop 62311 of Killingworth brought excitement with their slip-and-slide. The Batzner Family added to the adventure with their stump jump. The Killingworth Women’s Organization generously provided free snacks and drinks for all the kids, and a very special thank-you goes to “The Bread Girl,” who delighted families with 300 homemade cookies to enjoy after the run.
This was the first “Kids Run A Muck” event since 2019, when it was originally created and hosted by Girl Scout Troop #60772 of Haddam, whose members have since graduated high school. HKYFS and HKIMS PTO are thrilled to revive this beloved tradition for a new generation.
Judging by the muddy smiles and high-fives from participants of all ages, “Kids Run A Muck” (photo above, event volunteer Karen Therrien) 2025 was a fantastic success and we’re already looking forward to bringing the fun back next year!
Photos provided by HKYFS
